In June, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter offered an analogy when describing his cornerback room. He likened it to a basketball team and said, “You can match up differently on different people.”
On Sunday, the team’s editorial director, Eric Smith, emphasized this point, noting that the Chargers’ cornerback room is getting stronger and deeper.
“With Derwin James Jr. spending an ample amount of time in the slot, second-year corners Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart have worked at the outside spots,” Smith wrote. “But so, too, have Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste, a pair of offseason free-agent additions. Ja’Sir Taylor and Deane Leonard have also mixed in the secondary as well.”
The Chargers have experimented in camp with their dime package, deploying “six defensive backs (three corners and three safeties) with various combinations,” as Smith notes.
While no starting spots are set in stone, Smith points out that Minter “clearly has a number of options available at cornerback,” giving the defense plenty of flexibility heading into the season.
Derwin James Jr., who is heading into Year 2 under Jim Harbaugh, shared his feelings about the CB depth.
“We got a lot of guys out there that can play,” James said. “They all bring something different to the table, and I feel like you can never have enough corners in this league.
“You know how the season goes … I feel like we have a lot that can battle and make plays, so it’s only going to help us in the long run.”
The competition at cornerback is a good problem to have for Jesse Minter. It also ensures the defense is prepared for every offensive challenge the AFC West can throw their way.
